French authorities continued their damage assessments on Monday following what local media described as a “mini-tornado” that struck the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on Sunday afternoon.
The rare weather event touched down in Baie-Mahault, sparking panic among residents as strong winds ripped through parts of the town. While no fatalities have been reported, officials confirmed that the worst damage was concentrated in the residential neighborhood of Belcourt, where fire and rescue teams have been deployed to assist.
Images and videos shared on social media show scenes that resemble the aftermath of a hurricane—overturned objects, scattered debris, and structural damage to homes.
In response, the island has been placed under Orange Alert for strong rains and thunderstorms. According to Guadeloupe la 1ère, the island is currently being impacted by a wet and unstable air mass that could lead to further bouts of intense rainfall.
“Heavy and sometimes stormy showers can still be triggered quickly today,” the outlet reported, warning that rainfall totals could exceed 80mm in just three hours, posing a serious flood risk.
Météo France echoed those concerns, noting that the weather remains volatile. Their latest bulletin indicated that rainfall accumulations could reach 20 to 30 mm, with some localized areas possibly seeing up to 50 mm more.
In the Jarry sector, previous rainfall reached between 50 and 60 mm over a three-hour span and 80 mm in six hours.
Authorities cautioned that the Caribbean’s weather remains highly unpredictable, capable of shifting from sunny skies to violent storms with little notice. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as the risk of additional heavy showers and localized flooding persists.
